Parliamentary Secretary Taleeb Noormohamed announced $520,000 in funding for the Vancouver Fringe Festival over two years.

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 6, 2024 – The arts foster creative communities, encourage self-expression, and bring people together to share diverse views.

Today, Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Granville), announced a $520,000 investment in the Vancouver Fringe Festival Society on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pascale St-Onge.

The two-year Canada Arts Presentation Fund grant includes $300,000 in direct supplemental support from Budget 2024. This funding will assist the organization in presenting its annual September festival.

The Vancouver Fringe Festival, showcasing uncurated, artist-driven programming, celebrates independent theatre with emerging and established artists and companies. It also features community engagement, artist-audience discussions, and musical performances.

This investment will help the festival maintain its commitment to creativity, imagination, and accessibility, ensuring high-quality independent theatre for diverse audiences.

Quotes

“Canada’s thriving arts scene embodies creativity, inclusivity, and talent. Budget 2024’s targeted funding for presenters like the Vancouver Fringe Festival demonstrates our government’s commitment to sustainable cultural institutions. We are proud to support the festival’s vision for accessible and innovative arts.”

— The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

“The Vancouver Fringe Theatre Society is vital to British Columbia’s performing arts, providing a platform for independent artists and emerging talent. This annual event welcomes diverse audiences, creating a space where art is inclusive and every voice is celebrated. This funding ensures the organization’s continued growth and success.”

— Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage

“As North America’s second-oldest fringe festival, the Vancouver Fringe Festival is dedicated to supporting artists. This Government of Canada funding is crucial to our post-pandemic recovery and will directly benefit independent and emerging artists in their artistic development and careers.”

— Duncan Watts-Grant, Executive Director, Vancouver Fringe Festival Society

Quick Facts

Founded in 1983, the Vancouver Fringe Festival Society supports independent artists. It hosts the annual Vancouver Fringe Festival each September at various Granville Island venues. This year marks the festival’s 40th anniversary.

The Vancouver Fringe Festival prioritizes artists in its programming. Participants are chosen by lottery, with box office proceeds going directly to the performers.

Budget 2024 included an additional $31 million in supplemental funding (2024-2026) for the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. These Canadian Heritage investments support professional arts presenters and series. The Vancouver Fringe Festival is a recipient of this funding.

The Canada Arts Presentation Fund provides financial assistance to organizations presenting arts festivals or performing arts series, and to organizations supporting arts presenters, ensuring Canadians have access to diverse artistic experiences.

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SOURCE Canadian Heritage

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